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Thursday, September 06, 2012

The record is described as "nasal, bluesy folk music" by Manuel Vasquez, 26, co-owner of the Beauty Is Pain boutique and the person responsible for the release.

Why is Manuel doing this?

Vasquez, who was not alive when the "Manson family" terrorized Southern California in the late 1960s with its "Helter Skelter" killing spree, said he wanted to produce the album because he believes Manson’s Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial was violated.

"I wouldn’t say [he's] innocent, but he was denied his constitutional rights in court," Vasquez said. "I wanted to raise awareness of that."

I suppose that's an honourable aim. So the album is being sold at cost, is it, because this is about raising awareness?

So far, Vasquez has sold a "couple hundred" copies of the vinyl recording, which retails for $18 and includes never-before-heard tracks of Manson playing guitar.

Eighteen bucks a throw? But most of that will be going to Manson, right?

Manson, incarcerated at Cochran State Prison, does not get a cut of any profits from the record.

I think anyone who cares is well aware of Manson's defence situation during his trial, so it's questionable if Vasquez is really raising any awareness. He is raising thousands of dollars, though. But I'm sure that isn't the point, right?